A Chapter in good shape

With 2014 about to finish, one can say that the ICCA Iberian Chapter is in good shape, as was demonstrated throughout November. The month started with a new record attendance of Spain and Portugal members at the 53rd Congress and General Assembly of ICCA, held in Antalya (Turkey), where one of our members, Juan José García of Barceló Congresos, was confirmed as first vice president and treasurer.

Members of the Iberian Chapter at the ICCA congress in Antalya

At the same assembly, Nina Freysen-Pretorius, founder and CEO of The Conference Company, South Africa, was elected as the new president. As the previous president was an Hispanic American, Arnaldo Nardone, and the current one is South African, it can be seen that ICCA is opening up to emerging markets and becoming ever more global.

Also in November, we have been extra busy with activities at EIBTM. We organized the traditional Spanish Seminar on a subject that is as timely as it is controversial – sustainable events – with a friendly and participative formula that underscored the bright lights and the shadows of this phenomenon. We also took part in a meeting of the Foro de Asociaciones, which is working on a study of the economic impact of the meetings market in Spain. Meanwhile, the board held a meeting on the organization of our next Assembly on the Algarve, which will be held from 15 to 17 April. Finally, our associates were also very active in the gatherings of other associations; and, as a finishing touch, the Portugal stand was awarded the Prize for the Best Stand at EIBTM 2014.